Güçlü Zeynep Aslı, Karadağ Cansu Bilge
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
BMC Oral Health. 2025 Jun 5;25(1):920. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06140-w.
Early childhood caries (ECC) are highly prevalent globally. This study aims to identify evidence-based familial factors to increase the risk-based management of ECC.
A total of 405 children (aged 0-72 months) presented to the pediatric dentistry department within 2 years were observed via a dental mirror and explorer under dental unit lighting. ECC was diagnosed via visual examination using World Health Organization (WHO) and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores. A total of 405 mothers and 399 fathers were interviewed in this study, and a questionnaire regarding parental variables was completed.
Most parents with low education levels visit the dental clinic when their child experiences pain or any complaint within 0-72 months. Maternal age was found to affect DMFT (Decayed, Missed, and Filled Permanent Teeth) scores. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean DMFT score according to the age of the mother at the time of delivery (p = 0.045). This study revealed a greater tendency of parents with a high education status to use fluoride. Parents of children without ECC were significantly more likely to have good oral hygiene habits, especially those with dental floss.
ECC was found to be related to parents' habits and attention. Health providers should consider parents' knowledge, be aware of many aspects that could contribute to caries balance, and provide anticipatory guidance to parents regarding appropriate dental visits.
幼儿龋齿（ECC）在全球范围内高度流行。本研究旨在确定基于证据的家庭因素，以加强对ECC的风险管理。
对2年内到儿童牙科就诊的405名儿童（年龄0 - 72个月），在牙科综合治疗台灯光下，使用口镜和探针进行观察。采用世界卫生组织（WHO）和国际龋病检测与评估系统（ICDAS）评分，通过视觉检查诊断ECC。本研究共访谈了405名母亲和399名父亲，并完成了一份关于父母变量的问卷。
大多数文化程度低的父母在孩子0 - 72个月出现疼痛或任何不适时才带孩子去牙科诊所。发现母亲年龄会影响恒牙龋失补（DMFT）评分。根据分娩时母亲的年龄，平均DMFT评分之间存在统计学显著差异（p = 0.045）。本研究显示，文化程度高的父母使用氟化物的倾向更大。无ECC儿童的父母更有可能有良好的口腔卫生习惯，尤其是使用牙线的习惯。
发现ECC与父母的习惯和关注度有关。医疗服务提供者应考虑父母的知识水平，并意识到许多可能影响龋病平衡的因素，同时就适当的牙科就诊向父母提供预防性指导。
